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Sure, these days have almost every game sporting the newfangled 3D, but way back when, everyone had to live with plain old 2D. 2D, or two dimensions, limit the game to scrolling backgrounds, but some games even now make use of this basic concept.
Games that feature stages in which the player is forced to continually progress, chased by a relentless and lethal threat that covers the entire height/width of the screen.
Grabbing the attention of a nearby enemy NPC. Usually leads to them attacking.
When the main protagonist is thrusted into a foreign dimension or alien world, usually due to a freak accident. The protagonist must then explore that world while trying to find a way back home.
A protagonist who lacks some or all of the qualities traditionally seen as heroic.
An atmospheric phenomenon that causes a fantastic natural light display.
The game automatically saves for you when you reach certain points. Implemented in order to reduce frustration for forgetful savers.
Levels that progress forward by themselves at a fixed rate.
Videogame bosses, generally enormous ones, that take up the entire background of the screen you fight them on, usually only extending the body parts they attack with (and for some reason, their weak point) into the foreground where the player can interact with them.
Backtracking is the act of navigating through previously explored areas, usually for the purpose of progressing in an objective-based adventure game. Players who are lost may also backtrack to reorient themselves.
Bats are small, very social flying mammals. They may frequent caves or haunted houses.
A large omnivorous mammal that can be white, brown, or black. Despite their ferociousness, they are also associated with being soft and cuddly, as in teddy bears. Bears are also known to eat stairs. Scientists say that because "bears eat stairs" rhymes the bears are naturally inclined to do so.
Usually yellow and black striped, these flying, flower loving loving insects can come singly or in a swarm. A major producer of honey and stings.
The concept of moving blocks around to certain areas such as highlighted squares, or switches, or in order to get past a maze.
Bonus levels, rounds, or stages give players a chance to gain extra points, powerups, or lives. Occasionally bonus stages will play completely different than the rest of the game, like as a slot machine or pinball minigame.
Boost takes a game to a new level giving players a greater level of speed. This speed opens up new doors to sports games, driving games, and any game that can benefit from the reward of speed.
Bosses are enemies that fight you at the end of a level or at a significant point in the story.
Not all bosses can handle the player by themselves. Many use waves of lesser enemies to fight for them while they rest, and some even let these minions do all the work.
A boss fight is a culminating challenge that pits the player against one or more enemies representing a greater threat and/or difficulty than those previously faced. These scenarios typically feature unique antagonists.
Games that let you choose the path you take through the story-line.
Games that encourage the beating of small and/or defenseless creatures.
A concept in which a person or object is on fire and taking continuous damage. It often takes fast movement, water, or an item to heal.
Enemies that arrive at the surface from underground. Often this is used as a method of taking the player by surprise.
Hand-drawn or computer-generated animation.
Cartoon physics refers to games which do not conform to regular physics, but the "laws" are for a humorous bent rather than conforming to reality. Sometimes it ignores physical laws, like gravity, or tweaks them, like not being totally blown away by dynamite.
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth.
Feline animals commonly kept as pets. There are many different breeds and varieties.
When the protagonist is pursuing someone or something in an effort to kill or capture.
A chicken is a small, domesticated flightless bird that can be white, yellow, brown or black. A female is a hen, a male a rooster, and a baby a chick.
Allows the player to continue playing - even though they have finished the game. This allows the completion of unfinished side-quests or the results of the player's victory in the world to be seen.
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